Used as an example in one of the first dictionary entries for "museum" in 1706.

One of Europe's oldest libraries.

J.R.R Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and other "Inklings" met at the Oxford pub to discuss the now legendary fantasy stories they were writing.

19th century museum with an eclectic mix of curiosities, from Egyptian artifacts to items on archery history to the skull of the world's oldest horse.

An 18th-century lighthouse built on a 16th-century castle is now a monument to the maritime beacons of Scotland.

The patron of this extravagant Art Nouveau confection insisted that nothing less than a boat should project from its facade.

A little sculpture with a large wardrobe.

Cozy basement bar sports an inventory of over 2,000 beers.

Climb inside an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times its normal size.

This fairytale castle was built as a show of power but was nearly torn down thanks to its history of torture.

This abandoned Slovenian military barracks has become a punky-political art squat.

A whimsical bridge adorned with decorative dragons.

Inside this small chapel tucked away in the forest is one of the most well-preserved Danse Macabre frescos.

This military tunnel dates back to World War II and provides visitors with a little wartime adrenaline.

Island wonderland for communist autocrats.

One of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters is still used today, but for less brutal events.

When Croatia became independent of Yugoslavia, the splintering governments left behind these concrete tunnels.

Croatia's towering concrete blossom grows from the site of a World War II concentration camp.

This truly palatial work of Communist-era architecture now sits crumbling on a Croatian beach.

Where the lovelorn find a home for their sentimental keepsakes.

A 11-foot former president stands on a Kosovo street that also bears his name.

A futuristic, brutalist masterpiece that is also strangely prison-like.

This brutalist monument is inscribed with 9921 names of Yugoslav partisans who perished during WWII.

This exclusive resort has completely covered a tiny Balkan island in a 5-star warren of guest rooms.